U.S. remains preferred destination

U.S. remains preferred destination

T. Sima Gunawan
Contributor
Jakarta

FOR Focus Issue - April 4, 2004 - Overseas Study

Studying abroad is the dream of many students who want the
chance not only to pursue a good education, but also to broaden
their horizons and to learn a foreign language.

This, however, does not necessarily mean that all foreign
educational institutions are good or that all universities in
Indonesia are bad -- even though the country does have problems
with its education system.

In general, studying abroad, especially in a developed country
like the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom,
Germany or The Netherlands, can boost one's self-esteem. Many
Indonesians also tend to have a high regard for the graduates of
foreign university's, regardless of the quality of the
institutions.

But those who really want to study, not just get the
experience of living abroad, should be careful when selecting an
education institution.

"If you want to study in the United States, make sure the
university has been accredited by the U.S. government," said
Richard L. Carhart, executive director of the American Indonesian
Exchange Foundation (Aminef), adding that there were 3,360
accredited universities in the U.S.

Basically, the first thing to do is to decide what you want to
major in and then make a list of universities that offer the
field of study you are interested in. Many books about
universities in the United States are available at Aminef, which
is located in the Balai Pustaka building on Jl. Gunung Sahari in
Central Jakarta.

Every Thursday, Aminef holds a preadmission orientation for
people who want to study in the United States. There is no charge
to join the orientation but students who want a private
consultation are charged Rp 50,000 (about US$6) per session,
according to Hanif Saleh, an adviser at the Aminef Educational
Advising Service. He added that members do not have to pay and to
become a member the fee is Rp 150,000 a year. For those
interested in graduate study, Aminef's Fulbright commission
offers scholarships for qualified Indonesian students.

America remains the most preferred destination for Indonesian
students studying overseas. The number of Indonesian students in
the United States is currently between 10,000 and 11,000.
However, there was a decline of between 8 percent and 9 percent
in the number of Indonesian students in the U.S. in 2002, a
result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the tightening of visa
procedures.

"The procedures are easier now," said Carhart.

Aminef also helps students with information about visa
application procedures, he said. However, it is unlikely the U.S.
government will issue a visa for students who are accepted at
unaccredited universities.

Once they are accepted to a university, students are suggested
to remind the school to send them the I-20 form, which is used
when applying for a visa.

As soon as students receive the I-20 form, they must contact
the U.S. Embassy to set up an appointment for an interview.

Being accepted to a university does not automatically mean
that you will be granted a visa. Besides having a valid passport
and other necessary documents, students should also be able to
show that you have sufficient funds. They are also encouraged to
include a letter of recommendation from a local religious leader
or another public figure in the community.

"The process (of applying for a visa) may take three or four
weeks," said Ade Kusuma, an education counselor at the Canadian
Education Center.

The Canadian Education Center, located in the World Trade
Center on Jl. Sudirman in Central Jakarta, is open to anyone
interested in studying in Canada.

Kusuma said that unlike universities in the United States,
almost all of the 90 universities in Canada were run by the
government.

Currently there are about 500 Indonesian students in Canada,
and this number has increased slightly over the past few years.

Accommodation is another important thing that needs to be
looked into. It is not something that should cause too much worry
though, because most universities have dormitories for students.
Some U.S. universities even oblige new students to stay in the
dorms for the first year. If you are a nonsmoker, don't worry
about being mixed with smokers, because before assigning
roommates, universities send students questionnaires asking about
their habits and preferences. Therefore, if you like peace and
quiet, it is unlikely that you will share a room with a party
animal.

One benefit of living on campus is that you can save money on
transportation. But if the university does not oblige new
students to stay in the dorms and you prefer to stay off campus,
or if there is no more room in the dorms, there are usually
numerous rooms and apartments available within a short distance
of most universities.

There are many factors to consider other than the price when
deciding on accommodation, like safety. It is also necessary to
ask whether the room or the apartment is furnished. Telephone and
Internet access is quite easy in the U.S. and Canada, so if you
want, you can have a private line in your room.

"Actually we don't recommend new students live in an apartment
off campus. A dorm or a homestay will be more suitable," Kusuma
said.

Living in a dorm is a little cheaper than a homestay, but the
latter has its own advantages. Those who have never been to
Canada before might prefer a homestay because it will allow them
to learn more about the culture and the language as they are
directly involved with the family, according to Kusuma.

Almost all universities, both in Canada and the U.S, have an
international students office, which is ready to help foreign
students who have questions about accommodation or any other
matters.

The biggest problem facing Indonesian students abroad actually
has nothing to do with visas or accommodation.

"As they are living far away from home in a country with a
different culture, many suffer from homesickness. But the
students can get over it quickly. They adjust well," Carhart
said.